The Plott Hound Shop
Plott Hound Breed Summary
Intelligent, Independent, Stubborn, Energetic and Loyal
These guys first came about in the Mountains of Western North Carolina and are an 'All American' dog. They are discussed as being very unique Coonhounds and their ancestors include the Hanoverian Schweisshundens, a type of bloodhound. It is said that five Hanoverian Schweisshundens accompanied the German immigrant, Johanne George Plott, into Western Carolina in 1750. From these five dogs, and potential mixing from other breeds, the Plott Hound came about. These guys were bred to hunt, protect the home, drive livestock and keep their family's children safe. Nowadays though, you are more likely to see them serving as search and rescue dogs and as pets. They became a recognized breed in 1946 and became the official state dog of North Carolina in 1989!
| Kennel Club Group | Hound |
| Lifespan | 12 - 14 years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males 20in - 25in, Females 20in - 23in |
| Weight | Males 50lb - 60lb, Females 40lb - 55lb |
| Coat | Glossy and dense |
| Color | Brindle or Black |
| Eye color | Brown or Hazel |
| Common health issues | Gastric Torsion |
| Other Names | Plott, Plott Cur |
These dogs can be quite a lot to handle and need to be brought up by an experienced hand, so they're not the best breed for first time owners. They can be extremely stubborn which is a result of their independence, a common trait in hounds. This breed therefore must be trained with a lot of patience and positive reinforcement. Once they are trained properly and have matured, they make fantastic family pets due to their intelligence and loyalty to their owners. They have very long-lasting memories and will never forget if someone does them wrong. They can get bored very easily so need lots of physical and mental stimulation to stop them from becoming destructive. Their high energy also means they need lots of exercise and would best suit a family who already lead an active lifestyle.